Lock construction



July 2, 1935. F, KElL 2,007,142I

Loox CONSTRUCTION Filed neo. 16, 195s /Z 9d lNvENToR 27 I ld /YHe/LT Kel/Z @at @zu #M A'fToRNl-:Ys

Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,007,142 1.00K CONSTRUCTION Henry F. Keil,` Francis Keil & York Scarsdale,v N.v Y., assignor `to Son,vInc., a corporation of -New e Application December 16,y 1933,' 'SerialNoi 72,690

15 Claims.

This invention relates, to lock construction, particularly to key-controlled lock construction. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, practical, inexpensivelyand ef- 5 lciently-operating key-controlled lock construction. Another Vobject is Vto provide a lock construction in whichthe actuation under the control of the key is positive, smooth, easy and reliable. Another Objectis to ,provide alock conln structionin which thesetting voi the tumblers or vthe like by the-coded key edge Vmay be achieved withthe minimum or manual eiort, to achieve either unlocking or locking. `Another object is .to provideV a'lock construction in which sheet metal t'urnblers of Ainexpensive character may be 'dependably employed without danger or -risk of binding action, Withoutv jamming oftumblers lwith respect tothe key, or withoutoiering dif-V iicultyA Vin .manual actuation of the key itself. vAnother object lis to provide a lock construction of the above-mentioned character'in which balls or rollers may bedependably employed Vwhile achieving facility of assembly, inexpensiveness of manufacture, and absencecf `spilling of the parts in either assembly or disassembly. Other vobjects will be in part obvious or. in part pointed outhereinaftein r I The invention accordingly consists inthe features ofrc'onstructin, combinations of elements, v9 and arrangements of partsVV as will be exemplified in the structure to Vbe hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. e In the accompanying drawing 4in which `is 4shown .one Vof various possible embodimentsy of my. invention; y

'Figure 1 is la` verticalcentral sectional view of my lock construction, shown withfa key Arelated thereto; Y I

49 Figure 2771s a top plan view of thelockcylinder per se; e Y l Figure 3 is an end View of the lock cylinder, as

viewed from the right in Figure 2; I, Y,

'Figure 4 is a bottom plan View of .the lock cylinder, as seen .from the under side of `Figure 2;

`Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View of the cylinder, as seen along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure '6 is a vertical sectional view, -forex- Figure/8 a side ,view of an implement thatl 55 may be employed in achieving assembly ordisas- 'ample asseen along the line `(i-Ii ofrFigure 1, but

` tumblers associated VVWithvthe lock construction.

Similar reference characters'refer togsimil'ar .parts throughout the several'vieWs-oi the tdrawings. A v Y n l l Referring first to Figures 1 and 6, Iprovide a lock casing lil, generally cylindrical in shape, adapted to be ttedinto a suitable hole-or jbore rin a'doorj or Vthe like and provided Ywitha ange or escutcneonll adapted to abutagainstva front face-of the door; the casing I0 may beanchored or secured to the door in any` suitable orwellknovvn manner. v

.The Vcasing III-is provided with a-cylindrical bore I2 (Figures 1 and 2) extending entirely therethrough `and in which is snugly "but rotatably receivedV a cylindrical -plugoi` lock cylinder I3 (Figures 1 and 6), the latter havingI airont iiange I4 adapted to abut 'against-therighbhand or outer facerof the eseutcheon I I (Figure 1) and provided at `its other end with anygsuitable detachable means |05 adapted "to abutl against the rear orleft-hand face of the casingfl, parts ,I4 and vIF holding the jrotatable cylinder I3 against axial movement while` permitting free `rotation'j thereof in the'bore I2of the easing I0. 'The casing I0: is provided withldiametrically'opposed longitudinally extendingrecesses I6 vand I1 (Figuresil and -6) `into which extend orl out of which may be withdrawntne'tumblers carri-ed `by the lock4 cylinder I3, depending upon l`Whether .rotation of the cylinder VI3 is to'beprecludedor permitted, the cylinder I3 having at its leftehand end (Figure .1) -an operating or connecting means I8 by which a bolt (not shown), of any suitable form of` bolt vor latch-mechanism (not, shown) may be controlled oroperatedgbyfthe rotation of -thle Cylinderl l, n, f.

lleferring-now to-Figures-2,`4' and 5, the cylinder or plug I3V hasextendingfalongitsA axisfa keyreceivingslot I9 Vgenerally"rectangular in crosssection (see also Figure l), theV front -iiange l4 (Figures 2` andS) ci thecylindenl `having '1a key-,receiving opening T29 alined With-the slot i9 but shaped any suitable manner, V:as indicated lin'Figure 3,-as by the Aprovision of prongs orqpro- .iections 2 I-22, intended tocoaot )with longitudinally-extending; groovesgin the sides Yof,A the key- ,2'3 (Figurel) one offthe grooves 24 in the shank 25 of the key 23 being clearly shown in Figure-1. Extending transversely throughk the ,cylinder -I31and `extending from top to bottom ,thereoLv-as viewed'in Figures I1 and 3, isf-aipluralitycf tum- :blerereceiving slits; theselslits maybe of'anyxle'- 5,5.

sired or suitable number and in the drawing they are illustratively shown as iive in number; accordingly, these five slits (Figures 1, 2 and 4) are indicated by the reference characters 3I, 32, 33, 34 and 35, and they will be seen to be rectangular in cross-section (Figure 2) and to be shaped at suitable intervals lengthwise of the plug or cylinder I3. This spacing in an axial direction of course determines the spacing of the ve tumblers respectively received in these slits and this spacing may be of any appropriate -or suitable intervals, depending upon the kind or type of coded edge desired to be employed on the shank 25 of the key 23 (Figure 1). Ihese slits, moreover, cross or intersect the key-receiving slot I9, so that when a key shank 25 is inserted into the slot I9, the key passes substantially centrally but transversely across these slits.

On the under side of the cylinder I3 (see'Figure 4) and extending between the remotest edges of, and parallel to the slits 3l, 32, etc. are substantially cylindrical recesses 26, preferably two for each slit, and one in each side of the center planeof the cylinder, formed as by drilling, and constituting virtually enlarged cylindrical channels or recesses. In Figure 5 lone of the slits, SuchY as the slit 3|, is better seen and also part ofthe two cylindrical recesses 26 that are conlnectedv with it. The recesses 2 6, as is pointed out hereinafter, receive, and form respective housings for,helical expansible springs, the bottom edges 26a forming a'base against which one end Volthe respective springs abuts. w As is better shown in Figure 4, these springreceiving recesses 26 are alternately on opposed edges of the successive slits, this arrangement being' preferred in order to achieve closer spacing `of the slits and hence of the tumblers carried by the latter.

Referring again to Figure 2, I provide a plurality of Ycylindrical channels 4I, 42, 43, 44 and 45, one for each of the slits 3I, 32, 33, 34 and 35 respectively, and these, to facilitate a quicker understanding of the construction, may be formed by drilling cylindrical holes centrally and length- `-wiseof the slits, down to the bottom I9a (Figures l5and 6) of the key-receiving slot I9. Of jcourse,` these channels 4I, 42, etc. may be formed in-.any suitable manner, even other than the above-mentioned drilling. Moreover, the radius ofthe cylindrical channels 4I, 42, etc. is greater -thanhalf the horizontal width of the key slot I9o r, stateddifferently, the diameter of the cylindric'alchannels 4I, 42, etc. is greater than the width of the key slot I9, as clearly appears in Figures 2 and 5.

These vertically extending channels 4I, 42, etc., --Which terminate at the bottom I9 of the key slot I9 and which are open (see Figures 1 and 2)--at the top of the cylinder I3, are' to receive respectively round or roller members'and, where these channels are circular in cross-section or cylindrical, as above described in connection with .the preferred form of my invention, these members take vthe form of balls, there being one ball received in each channel, and in Figure 1 I have shown balls 5I, 52, 53, 54 and 55 received respec- `tively`in the guiding channels 4I, 42, etc., be'- 'ing guided by the latter for up and down movement or for movement toward or away from the -bottoi'nIS of the key slot I9.

"'I'hese balls are snugly fitted into their respective fchannels and (see Figure 6) have a diameter' greater than the width of the key slot I9; thus 'theyL-cannot move .lengthwise'of the key'slot I9 though they are free to move up and down along the guiding channels 4 I 42, etc. Also, these balls will thus be seen to be presented to the key slot I9 and hence to the coded or usually serrated edge of the shank 25 of the key 23 that is to be inserted into the key slot I9 (see Figure 1).

In the slits 3|, 32, etc. are slidably mounted and guided a plurality of tumblers 6I, 62, 63, 64 and 65, respectively (see Figure 1), these tumblers being also ball-retaining devices. The tumblers preferably are of sheet metal, generally of rectangular shape, as is better shown in Figure 6, where tumbler 6I is shown in side elevation. They are guided for free sliding movement in the respective slits 3l, 32, etc., the recesses I6-I1 (Figure 6) in the casing I0 being of sufficient width to receive the upper or lower ends respectively of the tumblers, depending upon the positions which they happen to have. Each tumbler has formed therein an open space and this I achieve preferably by forming in the tumbler an aperture which is preferably rectangular, thereby leaving an open spacev surrounded by the material of the tumbler. In Figure 1 the apertures which thus form the open spaces are indicated at 6I, 62, 63a, 64a and 65a, respectively, in the tumblers 6I, 62, 63, 64 and 65, but as appears clearly in Figure 1, the vertical height of these rectangular apertures varies according to the code which the particular lock mechanism is to have and which, of course, the coded key shank 25 is to have. These apertures are of greater width than the Width of the key slot I9 and are of sufficient width to receive therein the above-mentioned balls. In Figure 6 the aperture IiIa of the wafer-like tumbler 6I is clearly shown as having a width greater than the key slot I9 and of a width sufficient to receive the ball 5I, a similar relation existing with respect to the other tumblers and balls, even though the vertical dimension of the apertures varies as above-mentioned.

Each wafer or tumbler 6I has two laterally displaced rectangular apertures or slots IIb (see Figure 9), each slot having prongs Ilc and 6Id projecting from top and bottom thereof for receiving thereover the respective ends of a spring 21, the springs being snugly received within slots 6 Ib 'but projecting laterally from the two faces of the tumbler 6I. Each spring 21 is a coiled spring and is compressible, their constant tendency to continue to expand tending to hold the tumbler 6I in lowermost position, ball 5I acting as a stop, inasmuch as the ball rests against the bottom I9 of the key slot I9. The springs 21, each having one end resting on the bottom 261I of its recess, thus normally project the tumbler 6I out of its slit and into the recess I1 of the casing III, thus to prevent rotation of the cylinder I3y relative to the casing I0. A similar relation of springs and ball exists, of course, with respect to the other tumblers, each of which is thus projected into the recess I1 by an amount depending upon the vertical dimension of the rectangular aperture in the tumbler, I may employ only one spring 21 for each tumbler, but the use of two gives a balanced action, particularly with respect to the key, resulting in important advantages.

` The upper cross-portion of each tumbler thus blocks the ball directly'underneath it from moving or dropping out of its channel; this structural relation is clearly shown in Figure 2 and also in Figure 6, the springs 21 normally maintaining the balls 5I imprisoned between the key slot bottom I9 and the upper cross-portion of itstumbler. it s 1 i may be freely removed from the casing Il 4versa assembly of the assembled plug or `make the channels 4|,

clined front edge 25a erate the bolt been a vital deciency and rthe coded' key edge to operate directly upon these vbeen limited because it -bling or'dsa'ssembling the lock mechanism, particularly for purposes of repair. The'cylinder I3 without danger of the parts falling apart and without danger of lo-singthe balls or anyV of them.V Vice cylinder I3V to the casing I il and related parts may be quickly and easily achieved without having to cope with a multiplicity of minute parts, such as balls, springs, or the like.

Normally, as above noted, the balls 5|, 52, etc. substantially bottom against the bottom I Sie of `the key slot I9; I may, however, where desired, d2, etc.,A or any of them, of less depth, so that the balls, or any desired one or more of them, are held by the bottom or bottoms of the channels lli, ft2, etc. somewhat above the key slot bottom 911 if that arrangement is desired. In either event, the balls are, nevertheless, exposed to the key slot I9 and in the path of movement of the coded edge of the shank 25 (Figure l) of the key 23.

Accordingly, whenthe key is inserted into the slot I9, it passes successively through the hollow tumblers or through the apertures thereof, but in so doing the balls (in a direction from the right to the left, as viewed in Figure 1) roll up the inof the key shank '25, thus without friction, jamming, vor mechanical resistance, successively raising the tumblers 6 I, 62,

etc., the balls continuing to roll along the coded or serrated or notched edge of the key shank 25, also without friction, jamming, rasping, or mechanical resistance, the lifting movement of the wafers being opposed by the springs 2l (see Figure 6), the springs 2l insuring that the balls and hence the tumblers faithfully follow the coded key contour. When the key finally comes to rest and if it is of the proper coded edge, as shown in Figure l, for the different dimensions or height of the apertures in the different tumblers, each ball becomes seated in its intended recess or notch in the key edge, the parts being, of course, appropriately proportioned, as willrnow be well understood, so that all of the tumblers are lifted out of the recess I l in the casing l0 (Figures 6 and l) and are brought entirelywithin the confines of the cross-section of the cylinder I3, as is also clearly shown in Figure l, whereupon Athe cylinder I3 may be rotated by the key 23 to opor lock or related mechanism through the member I3 (Figure 1) and if the key Vand plug I3 are given a 180 rotation and then tures of construction above described, I am enabled to greatly increase the range of codification, within a given number of tumblers, of locks employing this type of tumbler; it has heretofore limitation in causing sheet metal tumblers because of the rasping, jamming, or binding action of the wafers with respect to the inclined edges of the coded key shank; in fact, the depth of the notches in the keys have was impracticable, on account of the binding of tumblers against the inclined key edge, to effect lifting or movement of the tumbler out of a depressed or projected depth as great'as was otherwise available. Also,

the diiiiculty `was accentuated because, particubut also ball 5| .ture Sie to permit the ball 5I,

larly in inserting and in withdrawing the key, a pluralityo'f thesetumblers would bind against a plurality of inclined edges on the key.l Also,.in-

operativeness of lock constructions has resulted l from these defects. Y

.With the construction of my'inventio-n, howf ever, aside from features already above-mentioned, all of these deficiencies and limitations are done awaywith; I am enabled to use greater depthsof notches in the keys and hence I vam enabled to greatly enlarge the combinations or changes available for a given number of tumn blers.

To illustrate, note the depth of the key notch in which the ball 53 in Figure l is seated, as compared tothe depth of notch in which the bail'55 vis seated. In between these two depths, assuming forillustration that they represent respectively the maximum and minimum depths,I may provide any desired or appropriate number of increments or intermediate depths, any one or more of which may be allotted to other notches in the key. But such a wide range of different depths was heretofore impossible. f

Referring again to the non-spilling' feature of my construction, reference may now'be had to Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7 is illustrated the mode of assembly or disassembly. First, the two springs 2? are inserted into the spring-'receiving slots i5 lb, being engaged by the prongs 6 Ic and 5 Id; then a tumbler, such as tumbler 6|, is inserted into the slit 3 I, from the bottom thereof, as viewed in Figure 7, springs 2 entering the spring housings or recesses 26 and each bottoming its one end on bottom Iii?EL of its guiding channel 26.

Then the insertion of the tumbler is followed by an implement 28 (Figures 7 and 8) whose thin sheet-like edge fits into the slit 3i. By means of the implement 28 the wafer 6| is pushed sufciently through to the other (upper) side of the plug I3 so that the ball 5| may now be put into the aperture 6 Ia and dropped into its channel`4l. withdrawing the instrument 28, spring 27 expands, forcingthe tumbler @I downwardly, as viewed in Figure 7, whereupon ball 5I bottoms in the channel 4I and acts as a stop to further downward movement of the tumbler 6|. Thus ball 5| becomes imprisoned, as above explained, blocks the movement of the tumbler in the only direction (downwardly as viewed in Figure 7) in which it can be removed from the cylinder i3. Also, ball 5I thus prevents spring 27 from dropping out of its recess. To disassemble, the reverse procedure is followed. Implement 25 is used to push the tumbler 6| againstthe action of spring 27 to a sufficient extent to expose a suiiicient amount lof the aperafter the latter has moved out oi the channel 4|, to be removed in a direction transverse to the plane of the tumbier 6|.

Thus, in manufacture, assembly, disassembly, or repair, these otherwise minute parts are mutually interlocking, cannot fall apart, cannot spill, and thus repair of replacement or assembly of the parts, as well as disassen1bly,'is achievable with great speed and facility.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided in this invenion a construction in which-,the

'various objects above noted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages,are achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to beunderstood that 'all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and along the axis, said cylinder having a plurality of transverse slits extending therethrough and spaced lengthwise of said cylinder, said key slot intersecting all of said slits, a plurality of plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially of a rectangle and each having a rectangular aperture therein whose length is greater than the large-r of the two cross-sectional dimensions of said key-receiving slot, whereby a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumblers, each tumbler beving insertable into and slidably received within and guided by one of said slits, a plurality of balls respectively received within the apertures in said tumblers and insertable therein upon said tumblers being sufficiently projected out of their respective slits and upon said tumblers being moved back into their respective slits, being thereby exposed to said key-receiving slot, a plurality of channels extending parallel to said slits from the exterior of said cylinder to said key-receiving slot and dimensioned to receive therein and guide respectively said plurality of balls for movement of the latter in a direction lengthwise ci said slits, whereby the coded longitudinal edge oi a key inserted into said key slot is contacted by said balls and acts through the latter to shift the positions of said tumblers according to the coded edge of the key, and a plurality of spring means, one for each of said tumblers, acting upon the latter to move and hold the tumblers in their respective slits in a direction to move the respective balls inwardly of their respective channels, whereby said balls are prevented their respective channels, said tumblers having a range of movement in their respective slits in a direction opposite to the action or" said spring means suicient to expose the aperture in each tumbler to the other side of said cylinder, thereby to permit insertion of said balls upon said tumblers being suiiiciently projected out of said slits against the action of said spring means.

2. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and along the axis, said cylinder having a plurality of transverse slits extending therethrough and spaced lengthwise ci said cylinder, said key slot intersecting all of said slits, a plurality of plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially ci a rectangle and each having a rectangular aperture therein whose length is greater than the larger of the two cross-sectional dimensions of said key-receiving slot, wherebyT a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumbler each tumbler being slidably received within and guided by one of said slits, a plurality of round members respectively received within the apertures in said tumblers and thereby exposed to said key-receiving slot and thereby exposed to the coded edge-of a key inserted into said slot, and means for preventing movement of said members in a direction lengthwise oi said key slot while permitting movement thereof in the direction in which said tumblers move, said means comprising channels, one for each round member, running in the direction in which said tumblers are moved under the control of a key.

3. In lock construction, inv combination, a lock from dropping out of' cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and along the axis, said cylinder having a plurality of transverse slits extending therethrough and spaced lengthwise of said cylinder, said key slot intersecting all of said slits, a plurality of plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially of a rectangle and each having a rectangular aperture therein whose length is greater than the larger of the two cross-sectional dimensions of said key-receiving slot, whereby a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumblers, each tumbler being slidably received within and guided by one of said slits, said slits being open-ended on two opposite sides of said cylinder and said tumblers being shaped to be insertable into their respective slits and projectable out of either open end thereof, a plurality of round members respectively received within the apertures in said tumblers and thereby exposed to said key-receiving slot and thereby exposed to the coded edge of a key inserted into said slot, and means for preventing said members from ldisplacement in a direction lengthwise of said key slot.

fl. In lock construction, in combination a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and along the axis, said cylinder having a plurality of transverse slits extending therethrough and spaced lengthwise of said cylinder, said key slot intersecting all of said slits, a plurality of plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially of a rectangle and each having a rectangular apertiue therein whose length is greater than lthe larger oi the two cross-sectional dimensions of said key-receiving slot, whereby a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumblers, each tumbler being slidably received within and guided by one of said slits, spring means for each tumbler operating thereon to move its tumbler along its slit and away from said key slot, said tumblers having a range of movement and said spring means having a yieldability sufficient to allow each tumbler to be projected out of its slit against the action of its spring means and thereby expose its aperture exteriorly ci said cylinder, and a plurality of members, one for each tumbler, received within the aperture in the tumbler for limiting said last-mentioned movement of said tumblers, said last-mentioned members being insertable in the apertures of the respective tumblers upon exposure thereof exteriorly 0f said cylinder when projected against the action oi its spring means.

5. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and along the axis, said cylinder having a plurality of transverse slits extending therethrough and spaced lengthwise of said cylinder, said key slot intersecting all of said slits, a plurality of plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially of a rectangle and each having a rectangular aperture therein whose length is greater than the larger of the two crosssectional dimensions of said key-receiving slot, whereby a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumblers, each tumbler being slidably received within and guided by one of said slits, spring means for each tumbler operating thereon to move its tumbler along its slit and away from said key slot, said tumblers having a range of movement and said spring means having a yieldability suicient to allow each tumbler to be projected out of its slit against theaction of its spring means and thereby expose its aperture exteriorly of said cylinder, and

' ingl therethrough and spaced lengthwise of said cylinder,v saidtkey slot intersecting all of said slits, a pluralityof plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially of, a rectangle and each having a "rectangular aerture therein whose length'is greater than Vthe larger of the two crosss'ectio'nal dimensions of said key-receiving slot, whereby a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumblers, each tumbler being slidably received within and guided by one of said slits, said cylinder having a plurality of recessesextending respectively lengthwise of said slits and connected thereto, a spring in eac-h of said recesses,-`means whereby said springs each engage `a'tumbler to move the latter along their respective'slits and toward the coded edge of a key inserted ,into` said key slot, and. removable means coacting with said key slot for limiting the movement of said tumblers under the action of their respective springs and for preventing the tumblers .from being disassembled from said cylinder.

7. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and along the axis, said cylinder having a plurality of transverse slitsextending therethrough and spaced lengthwise of said cylinder, said key slot intersecting all of said slits, a plurality of plate-like tumblers having the shape substantially of a rectangle and each having a rectangular aperture therein Whose length is greater than the larger of the two crosssectional dimensions of said key-receiving slot, whereby a key entering said slot passes through the apertures in said tumblers, each tumbler being slidably received within and guided by one of said slits and capable of removal from either end of its slit, said cylinder having a plurality of recesses extending respectively lengthwise of said slits and connected thereto, a spring in each of said recesses, means whereby said springs each engage a tumbler to move the latter along their respectiveslits and toward the coded edge of a key inserted into said key slot, said springs, but for an inserted key, tending to project their respective tumblers out of their respective slits in one direction and acting to prevent projection of said tumblers out of their respective slits in the opposite direction, a plurality of rotatable mem bers respectively received Within the apertures in said tumblers and thereby exposed to said keyreceiving slot, each rotatable member being insertable into the aperture of a tumbler upon the latter beingsuiiiciently projected out of its slit against the action of its spring, and a plurality of channels extending parallel to said slits from the exterior of said cylinder and dimensioned to re#- ceive therein and guide respectively said plurality of rotatable members for limited movement of the latter in a direction toward said key-receiving slot, whereby said rotatable members limit the movement of said tumblers under the action of their respective springs and whereby said rotatable members are exposed for contactby the coded edge of a key inserted into said key slot.

8. In lock construction, in combination, a rotatable lock cylinder'having akey-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof, said cylinder hav-` ing a plurality of transversely extending guiding channels, a plurality of tumblers, each insertable lengthwise into and thereby received within one of said guiding channels, said tumblers eachhaving spring means for urging it in `a direction along its guiding channel opposite to the direction in Which the tumbler was insertedinto its guiding channel and each having means separate therefrom but operatively related thereto and projecting transversely from the planev thereof and thereby adapted to abut against the bottom of said key-receiving slot for limitingjmovementV of the tumbler under the action of its spring. 9. In lock construction, in combination, afrotatable lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof, said cylinder hav-l ing a plurality of transversely extending guiding channels, a plurality ofV tumblers, each contained within' one of said guiding channels and freely projectable out of its guiding channel in a direction transverse to said key slot, said-Stumblers each having therein an open space, and a plurality of roller devices, one for each tumbler, received within the open space ofthe respective tumblers for preventing free projection thereof in at least one direction relative to and outwardly of their respective guiding channels, said roller devices being exposed to said key-receiving slot,`V

10. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and having a slit extending transversely therethrough and intersecting said slot, said cylinder having a spring-receiving channel extending from one side of said cylinder alongside of and connected to and substantially parallel to said slit, a spring in said channel, a

- plate-like tumbler having an aperture therein and tumbler in one direction out of said slit, and

means receivable and resting in said aperture for limiting the action of said spring and for thereby preventing said spring from forcing said tumbler out of said slit. Y

11. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and having a slit extending transversely therethrough and intersecting said slot, said cylinder having a spring-receiving channel extending from one side of said cylinder alongside of and connected to said slit, a spring in said channel, a plate-like tumbler Vhaving an aperture therein and slidably mounted in said slit and having a projection received within said channel and engaged by said spring, said spring normally forcing said tumbler in one direction out of said slit, and a ball member Within said aperture, said cylinder having a channel open from the side thereof substantially opposite the side at which said spring-receiving channel is opened along which said ball is guided.

12. In lock construction, in combination, a solid lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot and means for guiding a tumbler relative to a key in said slot, a tumbler in said cylinder, said tumbler being apertured and having received therein a spring, said cylinder having channel means against the bottom of which one end of said spring may abut, whereby the other end acts upon said tumbler.

13. A self-contained spring-opposed tumbler for a lock cylinder` comprising a plate like member having an aperture through which a key may pass and having another aperture provided at opposed ends with means for holding a spring in said second-mentioned aperture, and a spring in said second-mentioned aperture and held in place by said means.

p 14. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof and having a slit extending transversely therethrough and intersecting said slot, said cylinder having a spring-receiving channel extending from one side of said cylinder adjacent to and in communication with said slit, a spring insertable into said spring-receiving channel from the said one side of said cylinder, a tumbler insertable into said slit from that end of the latter on the said one side of said cylinder and having means for engaging said spring, a second channel extending from the opposite side of said cylinder and in communication with said slit, said tumbler being projectable against the action of said spring to cause the tumbler to project out of that end of the slit on that side of the cylinder from which said second channel extends, and a ball member insertable into said second channel while said tumbler is so projected whereby, upon release of said tumbler, said spring moves the tumbler'in reverse direction along its slit, said tumbler having means for engaging said ball upon its said movement in reverse direction along its slit, whereby said spring and ball mutually coact to retain each other and said tumbler in assembled relation to said cylinder.

15. In lock construction, in combination, a lock cylinder having a key-receiving slot extending lengthwise thereof, said cylinder having a plurality of slits extending transversely therethrough from opposite sides of said cylinder and intersecting said slot, said cylinder having spring-receiving channels all extending from one of said sides of said cylinder inwardly of the latter and each being alongside of and in communication with a slit and having a second plurality of channels extending from the other of said sides of said cylinder inwardly of the latter and each alongside of and in communication with a slit, a spring in each of said spring-receiving channels and insertable therein from said one side of said cylinder, a tumbler in each of said slits and insertable thereinto from said one side of said cylinder and capable of being projected, agains the action of its spring, out of its slit at the other side of said cylinder, a roller member insertable into each of said second-mentioned channels from the ends of the latter at said other side of said cylinder, each tumbler having means shaped, when the tumbler is thereupon released and returned by its spring, to engage its associated roller member and hold the latter in its channel, each roller member thereby acting to limit the movement of its tumbler under the action of its associated spring.

HENRY F. KEIL. 

